Citanduy excavation project postponed

JAKARTA: State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim announced on Tuesday the postponement of a project to excavate the Citanduy River following a dispute between residents in the area.

He said he issued ministerial decree No. 137/2003 on the postponement of the project on Sept. 5.

Nabiel said the step was taken because of a continuing conflict between residents of West Java and Central Java, who live along this river that runs along the border between the two provinces.

"There is a difference in perception over this issue, therefore the project has been postponed indefinitely," he said.

The Asia Development Bank-sponsored project, which began in 1996 and was supposed to be completed in 2008, is aimed at reducing sedimentation in the Segara Anakan lagoon. However, residents of West Java who live near the river oppose the project, fearing it will cause flooding in their area.

The area of the Segara Anakan lagoon has been reduced from 3,000 hectares in 1984 to 500 hectares in 2003. -- JP